The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-11-10
A PROMPT SOLUTION.
BY EMMA A. oPPEH.


paper collars, and suspcndcrs, in glass
cases in the front, and crockcry and
calico, and tinwnrc and ovcrhauls, and
cowhidc boots, disposed on the shelves
and butter and dried beef, and buck
wheat and kerosene, and molasscs and
Goldfish, in friendly confusion in the rear.
Its molly variety was, indeed, ncccs-
sity. Lamphicr's was the one store of
Unionville.
If Lamphicr's was the typical country
store, Lottie Lamphier was not tho typ-
cal country storekecper's daughter. So
John Stockham, MIR. Lamphicr's clerk
from the next town, had thought, when
he first saw her tripping into the store
one morning, after spool of thread and
pound of coffee--shc was her fathers
housekeeper.
She had seemed to John, in her crisp,
pink calico, and her natty straw hat,
the most jauntily-stylish girl he had
ever seen, as we'll as the prettiest.
That was four months ago. Lottic
came down to the store frequently. Of
course it was nccessity that she should;
something was always needed at the
house. Certainly John was far too mod
est to dream that his presence could
have the remotest influence on her COM
ings and goings.
But he had not neglected his oppor-
tunitics. He had talked to her as he
tied up her sugar or rolled up her lining
cambria and smiled at her from over
the kerosene can and the molasses bar
rel, and Lottie had not been prudishly
backward in responding. The first
snow found them very good friends in
deed.
The one blot on this extremely pleas
ant companionship was Mr.. Lamphier.
Whether Mr.. Lamphier was guilty of
the notion that his clerk was an unde-
sirablc party, and therefore dangerous
companion for his daughter; or, whether
he was possessed of an ignoble fear of
the loss of good housck eeper; or
whether he had merely developed a
streak of the unrcason and contrariness
not entirely unknown to elderly gentle
men who are undergoing their first
touches of rheumatism, and feeling the
need of an older pair of glasses-what
Mr.. Lamphicr's motive was was doubt
full.
But he was plainly opposed to John
stockham's growing admiration for his
pretty daughter.
The scene which took place one
snowy December morning had come to
be common one.
Lottic came down to the store at a
quarter to nine. It was earlier than
she generally came, and the fact ac-
counted for the blackncss of Mr.. Lam
pliers frown.
Her new brown dress was cxtraordi-
narily stylish and becoming, and John
Stockham fairly blushed with delighted
admiration at the sight of her.
Lottic had nothing to get but poun
of rice, and it was impossible to be very
long about getting that. But Lottic
was young person of ways and means.
Good d-morning, Mr.. Stocllham," she
called out, checrfully.
John was replcnishing the fire at the
back of the store
"Goodmorning, Miss Lamphicr," he
rcjoined, with subducd enthusiasm.
Mr.. Lamphicr's sharp eyes were upon
him, and he did not venture to join her.
"What are these, pa7' cried Lottic,
Immediately. "Do come and show me
how they work, Mr.. Stockham."
They were patent mouse-traps. Il
was improbable that Lottic was ignorant
Of their function, or that John Stock.
ham believed that she was; but he got
himself to the front of the store with
alacrity.
"It's lovely weather, Mr.. Stockham,
Lottie observed, forgetting the mouse
trap. "Elegant!'
rs it2' said John, not brilliantly, but
devotedly, looking his admiration o
Lottie's bright eyes and red checks.
"Oh, yes; the SHOWS foot deep, and
had to wade; but like it."
"Do you like walking alone-by your
selfl" John vcntured.
"oh, we'll, I suppose it would bt
pleasanter with somebody along" Lot
tic responded, with her eyes on row o
stove-polish boxes.
II should say SO, decidedly" ssit
John, growing boldcr.
"Stockham Mr.. Lamphier called
snappishly, "please attend to custom
ers."
The CUSTOMERS consisted Of old Billy
Murdock, who came in regularly to 81
over the stove, but never bought any
thing; but John went back obediently.
There was period of silence, an(
then clatter from the front
"Oh, goodnessl" cried Lottic, in ton,
of horror. sTve knocked down bo1
of curtain-fxturcs. Mercy do help In
to pick them up"
John rushed to her side. He did no
know whether she had knocked then
off purposely, though he hoped she had
Lottie knew; but she looked quite in
nocently regretful.
They groped about together for th'